Microcontroller Resources

Development tools and evaluation boards provide an easy way to demonstrate various peripheral functionality and learn about an unfamiliar microcontroller product without manufacturing a custom PCB. This section provides a quick reference to these tools based on the vendor of the product.

The DV164132 F1 Evaluation Platform from Microchip Technology is a development tool for enhanced mid-range PIC MCUs (PIC12F1xxx/PIC16F1xxx). This tool demonstrates the capabilities and low power enhancements of these PIC MCUs. Additionally, this package includes a PICkit3 for quick programming. The evaluation board allows designers to develop with a prototyping area, LCD control, system current monitoring, temperature sensing, Real-Time-Clock, LED drive, button control and BLDC motor control.

The DM164123 PICDEM™ System Management Kit is a demonstration and training tool for system integration and the design of a variety of applications. Key features of this kit include: emulation of 24LC02 Serial EEPROM, emulation of I²C real-time clock, I²C thermal management control using MCP9700 temperature sensor, control of 2, 3 and 4-wire fans (3-wire fan supplied), +3V lithium battery, Microchip's MPLAB® IDE, and HI-TECH PICC™ LITE C Compiler.

The DM180021 PIC18 Starter Kit from Microchip Technology functions as a USB mouse, joystick or mass storage device all using the on-board capacitive touch sense pads. It includes a MicroSD™ memory card, potentiometer, acceleration sensor and OLED display. This kit also includes an on-board debugger and programming, and USB power, the starter kit is a low-cost way to get stated with the PIC18 family.

The DM240021 PIC24H MPLAB Starter Kit from Microchip Technology is a complete hardware and software kit for exploring the PIC24H MCU family for multi-tasking needs. This board is USB powered with integrated debugger/programmer. Also included is a PIC24HJ128GP504 MCU, tri-axial analog accelerometer, 128x64 OLED display and an on board speaker. Software included with this kit includes the MPLAB IDE with full editor, programmer and debugger, MPLAB C Compiler, code examples and user's guide.

The DM300018 dsPICDEM™2 Development Board is a development and evaluation tool to aid in designing embedded applications using dsPIC30F Digital Signal Controllers (DSC). This board includes a sample dsPIC30F4011 DSC in the 40-pin motor control socket, a power supply regulator, crystal oscillators for each set of sockets, an ICD connector for the MPLAB® ICD 2 In-Circuit Debugger and both RS-232 and CAN ports for external communication.

The DM330011 MPLAB Starter Kit for dsPIC Digital Signal Controllers (DSCs) is a complete hardware and software tool suite for exploring applications based upon Microchip Technology's dsPIC DSCs. There is a built in debugger on the board so the user just has to install the software and connect the USB cable to the PC.